“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Is. 43:19).

I remember getting my first pair of glasses in seventh grade. I resisted, but my parents said it was for my own good. This past Christmas I had my eyes examined, for my own good. I had begun to have difficulty driving at night. The optometrist was careful and precise in helping me find just the right corrective lenses. Optometrists strive to help us achieve 20/20 vision. They want us to see clearly both the things that are right in front of us, and the things which are approaching.

As I donned my new lenses, I wondered what God’s idea of 20/20 vision is? Created individually in God’s image, I imagine God’s vision is different for each of us and for each church. From my experience of God, God’s vision is for our own good, and the good of the world.

As you plan for the New Year, trying to see clearly what lies ahead of you, consider putting on God’s corrective lenses. How is God trying to help you see the world around you differently — including yourself, your relationship with Jesus Christ, your relationship with the church? What corrective lenses is God hoping you will put on as you start each day?

Perhaps seeing the world through the lenses of daily devotions and prayer, or being involved in our weekly Bible study, or Sunday school will help you navigate the year ahead. Perhaps God wants you to envision and be personally involved in new ministries of discipleship and outreach at FPCJ. Will you continue to wear your old corrective lenses, or will you be brave and have your spiritual vision checked again?

As anyone who wears corrective lenses can tell you, new eye glasses or contact lenses can be disconcerting at first. They may be uncomfortable, as if we can’t see straight. Sometimes new lenses make us more cautious in our walking, afraid of missing steps or falling. Optometrists tell us, “You’ll get used to it.” Putting on God’s lenses might make us feel cautious and uncomfortable too, but take heart, we’ll get used to it. God has a way of urging us on to new things that ultimately prove to be for our own good.

Your session has already taken brave steps in checking our church’s vision. We are beginning to see through new lenses regarding our relationship with Jesus Christ in the community. We look forward to sharing with you what we are seeing, and invite you to share what you are seeing. If God is in the visions, they will weave beautifully together.

With this New Year comes new possibilities in God’s kingdom. My prayer is for you to put on God’s lenses to see the new thing God desires to do within and through you; then come share what you are seeing.